In view of the recent catastrophes associated with deep excavations, there is an urgent need to provide vital guidelines on the design of the construction process. To develop a simple tool for predicting ground deformation around a deep excavation construction for preliminary design and decision-making purposes, small scale centrifuge models were made to observe the complicated mechanisms involved. A newly developed actuation system, with which the construction sequences ofpropping could be implemented, was developed, the new procedures were proven to give more realistic initial ground conditions before excavation with minimal development of pre-excavation bending moment and wall displacement. Incremental wall deformation profiles generally followed the O'Rourke cosine bulge equation and a new deformation mechanism was proposed with respect to wall toe fixity and excavation geometry. Validation of the conservation energy principle was carried out for the undrained excavation process. The total loss of potential energy was shown to be balanced by the total work done in shearing and the total elastic energy stored in structures with an error term of 30%. An improved mobilizable strength method (MSD) method using observed mechanistic deformation patterns was introduced to calculate the displacement profile of a multi-propped undrained excavation in soft clay. The incremental loss in potential energy associated with the formation of settlement toughs was balanced by the sum of incremental storage of elastic energy and the energy dissipation in shearing. A reasonable agreement was found between the prediction by the MSD method and the finite element results computed by an advanced MIT-E3 model for wall displacements, ground settlement, base heave and bending moment on fixed base walls. For cases of excavations supported by floating walls, the effect of embedded wall length, depth of the stiff layer, bending stiffness of wall and excavation geometry and over-consolidation ratio of soils were found to have a influence on the maximum wall deflection. In general, the predictions fell within 30% of the finite element computed results. A new chart Ψ versus normalized system stiffness was used to demonstrate that MSD could correctly capture the trend of wall displacements increasing with the ratio ofexcavation depth to depth of stiff layer, which could be controlled by increasing wall stiffness for very stiff wall system only. The incorporation of a simple parabolic curvequantifying small strain stiffness of soil was proven to be essential to good ground movement predictions. A new dimensionless group has been defined using the MSD concepts to analyze 110 cases of excavation. The new database can now be used to investigate the relationship between structural response ratio S and soil-structure stiffness ratio R where this is shown on log-log axes to capture the enormous range of wall stiffness between sheet-piles and thick diaphragm walls. Wall stiffness was found to have a negligible influence on the magnitude of the wall bulging displacements for deep excavation supported by fixed-based wall with stiffness ranging from sheet pile walls to ordinary reinforced concrete diaphragm walls, whereas excavations supported by floating walls were found to be influenced by wall stiffness due to the difference in deformation mechanisms.

Ústav hydrogeologie, inženýrské geologie a užité geofyziky Univerzita Karlova v Praze, Přírodovědecká fakulta MATEMATICKÉ MODELOVÁNÍ HLUBOKÉ STAVEBNÍ JÁMY V PÍSCÍCH diplomová práce Martina Tichovská Vedoucí diplomové práce: RNDr. David Mašín, PhD, MPhil. Praha, Srpen, 2012 Abstract Nowadays, mathematical modeling is a very discussed in geotechnics and used in many geotechnical applications. And it became more popular. The main aim of this work is to show suitability of constitutive modeling for prediction of deep ground excavation behavior in sandy soil. The temporary excavation is part of a tunnel portal 513 on an outer road bypass in Prague. In places the pit reaches almost 30 m depth. Mohr-Coulomb constitutive model and advanced hypoplastic model for coarse grain soils supplemented by intergranular strain concept were chosen for this application. Calculations demonstrated different results in soil behavior predicted by each model. Calculated results were compared with measured data from excavations monitoring. These show hypoplastic model as more realistic for deformation prediction.

This thesis presents a study of the effects of deep excavations on adjacent metro or utility tunnel in soft to medium soil. The main objective of the thesis is to develop a method of estimating these effects quantitatively. Extensive review of relevant literature published in the past four decades was conducted in order to understand the trends and the key developments in this area. It was revealed from the literature review that the concurrent use of the Observational Method and the finite element method for monitoring and controlling of ground deformations around the excavation has become a norm for deep excavation projects. Several design charts and guidelines for estimation of effects of deep excavations on adjacent raft foundations or pile foundations were found in the literature; however, no such charts or guidelines were found for estimation of effects of deep excavations on existing circular tunnels. Consequently, the development of these guidelines was established as one of the objectives of this study. <p>The initial phase of the research was focused on detailed study and analysis of two well-documented case studies the Chicago Subway Renovation Project, USA and the Tan Tock Seng Hospital Deep Excavation, Singapore. The back analyses of these two case studies were carried out using the finite element software PLAXIS. Exact site conditions and input parameters for the soil and the structural components were incorporated as much as possible. Appropriate adjustments in some of the input parameters were necessary to achieve good match between the computed and the observed results. <p> The back analyses were followed by parametric studies to identify important variables controlling the mechanisms of soil-structure interaction. The variables identified from the parametric studies of the two case studies were: soil stiffness, tunnel lining thickness, the depth of the excavation, and the location of tunnel. These variables were used to conduct a series of finite element analyses using simplified geometry and ground conditions for the purpose of formulating preliminary design charts. Results from these analyses were recorded in terms of in-plane and out-of-plane distortion of tunnel lining as well as additional shear forces and bending moments induced in the tunnel lining due to an adjacent deep excavation. The results were made non-dimensional before presenting them as contour plots. These contour plots constitute preliminary design charts, which can be used for the estimation of tunnel lining deformation caused by adjacent deep excavation.<p> Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that a finite element program (such as PLAXIS) that is able to model construction processes associated with tunnelling and deep excavation in urban environment can be an invaluable tool in exploring the mechanism of ground deformation around the deep excavation and in quantifying the effects of ground deformation on existing adjacent structures. The modeller must, however, be aware of the fact that ways of modelling a particular construction process could be different for various finite element programs. It is important to interpret the instructions given in the manual of the program correctly. <p>Detailed back analyses of well-documented deep excavation case histories are vital from the point-of-view of building confidence in the selected finite element program. Such analyses also have the potential to identify key variables influencing the soil-structure interaction. <p> Preliminary design charts proposed in this thesis are very convenient for obtaining approximate values of tunnel lining deformation caused by adjacent deep excavation. Non-dimensional nature of these design charts makes it possible to be used for any depth of the deep excavation and for tunnels of any size, depth of cover, and distance from the vertical face of the excavation. These design charts can be used by engineers and contractors for initial estimation, selection and preliminary design of excavation support system, and are particularly useful during the planning phase. Town planners and project managers, who need to decide on the feasibility, damage control and risk management aspects of a deep excavation project, may also find these design charts equally useful. It should, however, be kept in mind that the estimates obtained from these design charts are highly approximate and as such, should be taken as guidelines for decision making processes. These estimates do not replace site specific detailed analysis and monitoring.

This thesis presents a study of the effects of deep excavations on adjacent metro or utility tunnel in soft to medium soil. The main objective of the thesis is to develop a method of estimating these effects quantitatively. Extensive review of relevant literature published in the past four decades was conducted in order to understand the trends and the key developments in this area. It was revealed from the literature review that the concurrent use of the Observational Method and the finite element method for monitoring and controlling of ground deformations around the excavation has become a norm for deep excavation projects. Several design charts and guidelines for estimation of effects of deep excavations on adjacent raft foundations or pile foundations were found in the literature; however, no such charts or guidelines were found for estimation of effects of deep excavations on existing circular tunnels. Consequently, the development of these guidelines was established as one of the objectives of this study. <p>The initial phase of the research was focused on detailed study and analysis of two well-documented case studies the Chicago Subway Renovation Project, USA and the Tan Tock Seng Hospital Deep Excavation, Singapore. The back analyses of these two case studies were carried out using the finite element software PLAXIS. Exact site conditions and input parameters for the soil and the structural components were incorporated as much as possible. Appropriate adjustments in some of the input parameters were necessary to achieve good match between the computed and the observed results. <p> The back analyses were followed by parametric studies to identify important variables controlling the mechanisms of soil-structure interaction. The variables identified from the parametric studies of the two case studies were: soil stiffness, tunnel lining thickness, the depth of the excavation, and the location of tunnel. These variables were used to conduct a series of finite element analyses using simplified geometry and ground conditions for the purpose of formulating preliminary design charts. Results from these analyses were recorded in terms of in-plane and out-of-plane distortion of tunnel lining as well as additional shear forces and bending moments induced in the tunnel lining due to an adjacent deep excavation. The results were made non-dimensional before presenting them as contour plots. These contour plots constitute preliminary design charts, which can be used for the estimation of tunnel lining deformation caused by adjacent deep excavation.<p> Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that a finite element program (such as PLAXIS) that is able to model construction processes associated with tunnelling and deep excavation in urban environment can be an invaluable tool in exploring the mechanism of ground deformation around the deep excavation and in quantifying the effects of ground deformation on existing adjacent structures. The modeller must, however, be aware of the fact that ways of modelling a particular construction process could be different for various finite element programs. It is important to interpret the instructions given in the manual of the program correctly. <p>Detailed back analyses of well-documented deep excavation case histories are vital from the point-of-view of building confidence in the selected finite element program. Such analyses also have the potential to identify key variables influencing the soil-structure interaction. <p> Preliminary design charts proposed in this thesis are very convenient for obtaining approximate values of tunnel lining deformation caused by adjacent deep excavation. Non-dimensional nature of these design charts makes it possible to be used for any depth of the deep excavation and for tunnels of any size, depth of cover, and distance from the vertical face of the excavation. These design charts can be used by engineers and contractors for initial estimation, selection and preliminary design of excavation support system, and are particularly useful during the planning phase. Town planners and project managers, who need to decide on the feasibility, damage control and risk management aspects of a deep excavation project, may also find these design charts equally useful. It should, however, be kept in mind that the estimates obtained from these design charts are highly approximate and as such, should be taken as guidelines for decision making processes. These estimates do not replace site specific detailed analysis and monitoring.

Trends in the construction of deep excavations include deeper excavations situated closer to buildings. This research provides insight into mechanisms of soil-structure interaction for piled buildings adjacent to deep excavations to be used in the design and monitoring of deep excavations in urban areas. Most methods to assess building response have originally been developed for tunnelling projects or buildings with shallow foundations. Monitoring data of the construction of three deep excavations for the North South metro Line in Amsterdam, The Netherlands have been used to validate these methods specifically for piled buildings. In all three of the Amsterdam deep excavations studied, the largest impact on the ground surface and buildings is attributed to preliminary activities instead of the commonly expected excavation stage. The in situ preliminary activities caused 55-75% of the surface settlement and 55-65% of the building settlements. Surface settlements measured behind the wall were much larger than the wall deflections and reached over a distance of 2-3 times the excavated depth away from the wall. The shape of the surface settlements found resembles the hogging shape as defined by Peck (1969). For the excavation stage only, the shape of the displacement fits the profile proposed by Hsieh and Ou (1998). Most prediction methods overestimate the soil displacement at depth. An analytical method has been established and tested for the behaviour of piled buildings near excavations. This method includes the reduction of pile capacity due to lower stress levels, settlement due to soil deformations below the base of the pile and development of negative (or positive) skin friction due to relative movements of the soil and the pile shaft. The response of piles in the case of soil displacements depends on the working load of the pile, the percentages of end bearing and shaft friction of the pile, the size and shape of the soil settlements with depth and the distribution of the maximum shaft friction with depth. A method is derived to determine the level for each pile at which the pile and soil settlement are equal. Buildings in Amsterdam built before 1900 and without basement are most sensitive to soil displacements. For all other buildings, the pile settlement depends mainly on the working load. The actual damage experienced in buildings depends also on the relative stiffness of the building compared to the soil. Cross sections in Amsterdam have been evaluated and it is concluded that the Goh and Mair (2011) method provides a realistic, although rather large range of possible modification factors for the deflection of buildings next to excavations, deforming in hogging shape. For the incidents that happened at Vijzelgracht some well known damage indicators have been evaluated.

Dans le cadre du projet du Grand Paris Express, de nouvelles lignes de métro vont voir le jour afin d'accompagner la croissance du trafic et améliorer la performance du réseau de transport en Ile-de-France. Plusieurs gares de la nouvelle ligne 15 sud vont être excavées à des profondeurs importantes pouvant atteindre les 40m et soutenues par des parois moulées butonnées. Le recours à une modélisation aux éléments finis s'avère indispensable au vu du contexte exceptionnel du projet à savoir la maitrise de l'impact sur les avoisinants, la présence de formations peu perméables, surconsolidées et déformables (Argile Plastique) et la nécessité d'utiliser des modèles de sols avancés pour décrire le comportement du sol dans des plages de déformations caractéristiques des soutènements rigides.Ce travail de recherche vise à approfondir la compréhension du comportement des écrans de soutènement d’excavations profondes en analysant les limites des méthodes de modélisations à savoir la méthode des coefficients de réaction et la méthode des éléments finis et en confrontant leurs résultats avec des mesures fiables issues d’une excavation réelle. Une instrumentation avancée composée de fibre optique et de cellules de pressions a été mise en place dans la gare de Fort d’Issy-Vanves-Clamart et le retour d’expérience de cette dernière permet de statuer sur la pertinence des modélisations réalisées. / As part of the Grand Paris Express project, new subway lines will be created in order to support traffic growth and improve the performance of the transport network in the Ile-de-France region (France). Several stations of the new line 15 will be excavated at great depths up to 40m and supported by strutted retaining walls. The use of a finite element modeling is essential regarding the exceptional context of the project especially the impact on the surrounding structures, the presence of impervious soils, overconsolidated and deformable (Plastic Clay) and the need to use advanced constitutive models to describe the soils behavior in the typical strain ranges proper to rigid retaining walls.This research aims to deepen understanding of the behavior of retaining walls for deep excavations by analyzing the limitations of modelling namely finite element method and subgrade reaction method and by comparing their results with a real monitored excavation. An advanced monitoring based on fiber optic and pressure cells was set up in the station of Fort d’Issy-Vanves-Clamart and the measurements feedback allow assessing the relevance of the different adopted modellings.

Mechanical properties of marine sediment near Koper and numerical modelling of a deep excavation Engineering geological conditions near the port Koper in southwestern Slovenia forces geotechnical experts and civil engineers to solve problems in foundation various types of objects and purpose of the practice since the fifties of last century, when it began an intensive development of infrastructure of the port. The results of series of geological and geotechnical surveys, monitoring, and long experience with foundation in the local geology shows that it is almost always the 3rd geotechnical category, or foundation of complex structures in difficult geological conditions below the water table. The entire area belongs to Alpine-Dinaric tectonic area. The rock foundation is composed of complexes of flysch sediments Eocene age at which mounted files of recent marine sediments in the area widely submerged river valley fluvial sands and gravels. From the geotechnical point of view it is interesting site, where most buildings were based on a layer of soft marine sediments, where it is through the creation of special methods implemented in the establishment of deep-level endurable layers of gravel and sand of the river Rižana or at the level footingwall flysch. Set of marine sediments near the port Koper,...